Animated explainer videos are a great way to explain complex products or services in a fun and engaging way. They are also an effective way to increase brand awareness and drive sales. They work very well when paired with software tutorial videos.
In this guide, we will walk you through the steps for creating engaging animated explainer videos for your business.
Steps for Creating Engaging Animated Explainer Videos
Script Writing Your Explainer Video
The first step in creating an animated explainer video is to write a script. This is the foundation of your video and will guide the storyboarding, animation, and sound design.
Your script should be clear, concise, and easy to understand.
Be sure to keep it short and sweet. You should be able to show off your product or service in under 2 minutes, optimally within 1 minute.
Storyboarding Your Explainer Video
Once you have a script, the next step is to create a storyboard. This is a visual representation of the script, showing the progression of scenes and shots. Storyboarding will help you visualize how the final video will look and make it easier to communicate with your animation team.
If your video production team does this, it might be called a “pre-viz” or “animatic”. These terms just mean a temporary video with placeholders to determine things like pacing, blocking, placement, and style of the animated elements.
Character design and animation
The next step is to design the characters and animate them. This is where the magic happens and your video comes to life. Your characters should be visually appealing and consistent with your brand.
The “Characters” might not be human – they might be computers or cars or situations. Hire a video production company and/or an animator to come up with the appropriate assets for your brand and vision.
Sound design and voiceover
Once the animation is complete, the next step is to add sound effects and music. This will enhance the overall experience and make your video more engaging. You should also consider adding a voiceover to explain the product or service.
Don’t go overboard on sound effects, this is not a Looney Tunes cartoon. We find that adding subtle sound effects like interface clicks, whooshes to denote motion, and other appropriate effects to denote impact really help tell the story.
Post-production and editing
The final step is to edit and refine the video. This includes digital video editing, color correction, adding text and special effects, and making sure that the video is the right length.
Here is where the proofing process comes in. Be sure to let everyone on your team that needs to give input on the video make their comments. Curate those (yes, this means throw some out) and deliver them to your video production company.
Tips for creating successful animated explainer videos
Keep it simple The most successful animated explainer videos are simple and easy to understand. Avoid using technical jargon or complex concepts.
Use storytelling Using storytelling is an effective way to engage your audience and make your video more memorable. Hiring a professional scriptwriter or an experience video production company to craft your story is imperative.
Make it visually appealing Make sure your animation is visually appealing and consistent with your brand. Use a consistent color palette and design elements. Someone on your graphic design team can determine the look. Or hire a professional graphic designer to design the assets in conjunction with the animation or video production company.
Add a call to action At the end of the video, make sure to include a call to action, such as a website URL or contact information.
Creating engaging animated explainer videos for your business is a great way to increase brand awareness and drive sales.
By following these steps and keeping in mind the tips provided, you can create a video that is both informative and entertaining for your audience.
Remember to keep it simple, use storytelling, make it visually appealing, and include a call to action.
With a little bit of creativity and effort, you can create an animated explainer video that will be a valuable asset for your business. And always make sure to test with target audience for better results.
Happy creating!
Engaging Animated Explainer Videos FAQ
What are the benefits of animated explainer videos for a business?
Animated explainer videos can effectively explain complex products or services in a fun and engaging manner. They can increase brand awareness, drive sales, and work exceptionally well when combined with software tutorial videos.
How can a script enhance an animated explainer video?
A script serves as the foundation of your video. It guides the storyboarding, animation, and sound design. A clear, concise script that can explain the product or service in under 2 minutes can significantly enhance the effectiveness of the video.
What is the purpose of storyboarding in creating an animated explainer video?
Storyboarding is the process of visually representing the script, showing the progression of scenes and shots. It helps in visualizing how the final video will look and eases communication with the animation team.
How important is character design and animation in explainer videos?
Character design and animation are crucial elements that bring your video to life. Whether the characters are human, objects, or situations, they should be visually appealing and consistent with your brand to resonate with viewers.
How does sound design and voiceover contribute to animated explainer videos?
Sound effects, music, and voiceover can enhance the overall viewer experience and make your video more engaging. Subtle sound effects can assist in storytelling, while a voiceover can help explain the product or service more effectively.
What steps are involved in the post-production and editing of explainer videos?
Post-production and editing involve digital video editing, color correction, adding text and special effects, and ensuring that the video is the right length. It's also the phase where the team curates feedback and makes necessary adjustments.
What are some tips for creating successful animated explainer videos?
Keep the video simple, use storytelling to engage your audience, ensure the animation is visually appealing and consistent with your brand, and include a call to action at the end of the video.
How does a call to action benefit an animated explainer video?
A call to action guides viewers on the next step after watching the video. This could be visiting a website, contacting your business, or purchasing a product. It's a crucial element for driving conversions.
How can animated explainer videos increase brand awareness and drive sales?
By succinctly explaining complex products or services and engaging viewers with compelling visuals and storytelling, animated explainer videos can capture attention, promote understanding, and encourage viewers to take action, thereby increasing brand awareness and driving sales.
How should I test the effectiveness of my animated explainer video?
Testing your video with your target audience can provide valuable feedback and insights. You can gather data on viewer engagement, comprehension, and the call to action's effectiveness, enabling you to refine your video for better results.